Psychology, B.A., Counseling/Clinical Psychology Concentration

The Counseling/Clinical Psychology concentration curriculum emphasizes the rigorous application of psychological science to clinical and counseling research and practice with diverse populations. Students learn about evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and intervention in mental health, as well as practices that promote adaptation and well-being. Students wishing to become licensed mental health professionals would need to consider graduate-level study in clinical psychology of a related field, and this concentration provides the ideal foundational curriculum for this pursuit.

Requirements for Psychology Majors

Psychology majors must complete a minimum of 21 credits in the Department at Westfield State University.

Required Courses - 12 Credits

PSYC 0101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0219 - Research Methods in Psychology I Credits: 3
or COMM 0320 - Foundations of Communication Research  Credits: 3

or CRJU 0231 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice  Credits: 3

or SOCW 0204 - Introduction to Research Methods in Social Work  Credits: 3
PSYC 0308 - Statistics for Psychologists Credits: 3
PSYC 0319 - Research Methods in Psychology II Credits: 3

Content Courses - 18 Credits

Select the number of courses indicated below from each of the 4 categories.

Basic Processes - choose 2
PSYC 0215 - Adaptation and Animal Behavior Credits: 3
PSYC 0306 - Learning Credits: 3
PSYC 0312 - Behavioral Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 0341 - Cognitive Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0359 - Sensation and Perception Credits: 3
Individual and Social Systems - choose 1
PSYC 0201 - Theories of Personality Credits: 3
PSYC 0304 - Social Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0336 - Psychology of the Family Credits: 3
Development - choose 1
PSYC 0202 - Child Development Credits: 3
PSYC 0203 - Adolescent Development Credits: 3
PSYC 0208 - Adult Development and Aging Credits: 3
Applied - choose 2
PSYC 0200 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0206 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0303 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0305 - Forensic Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0311 - Health Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0317 - Applied Behavior Analysis Credits: 3
PSYC 0318 - Psychology of Interpersonal Relations and Communications Credits: 3
PSYC 0320 - Psychometrics: Psychological Tests and Measurements Credits: 3
PSYC 0322 - Theories of Counseling Credits: 3

Capstone Experience - 3 Credits

Pre-requisites: All capstone experiences (CE) require the student to be a senior Psychology major. Some CEs may have additional pre-requisites. Choose one of the following options:

PSYC 0333 - Practicum in Psychology Credits: 6
PSYC 0351 - Emotion Credits: 3
PSYC 0364 - Capstone Experience: Psychopharmacology Credits: 3
PSYC 0367 - Capstone Experience: Advanced Developmental Science Credits: 3
PSYC 0369 - Capstone Experience: Psychology of Film Credits: 3
PSYC 0371 - Capstone Experience: Developmental Disabilities Credits: 3
PSYC 0372 - Capstone Experience: Behaviorism in Contemporary Society Credits: 3
PSYC 0374 - Capstone Experience: Health of Vulnerable Populations Credits: 3
PSYC 0376 - Capstone Experience: Psychology of Depression Credits: 3
PSYC 0378 - Capstone Experience: Ethics in Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0380 - Capstone Experience: Positive Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0382 - Capstone Experience: Psychological Assessment and Program Evaluation Credits: 3
PSYC 0384 - Capstone Experience: Psychology of Crime Lab Credits: 3
PSYC 0386 - Capstone Experience: ABA Research Design and Ethics Credits: 3
PSYC 0396 - Capstone Experience: Independent Study Credits: 3-6
Honors Thesis in Psychology (as part of the University Honors program)

Other CE offerings may be available in any given semester. Please see your academic advisor for details.

Note: If receiving 6 credits for PSYC 0333, 0396, 0397, or Honors Thesis, 3 credits may apply to the capstone requirement and 3 may apply to Psychology major electives.

Electives in Psychology - 6 credits

Students must take two 200- or 300-level psychology courses with advisement.

Department Assessment Post-Test

PSYC 0395 - Department Internal Evaluation: Post-Test Credits: 0

Lab Science - 4 Credits

BIOL 0104 - Human Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 0106 - Practical Biology for the World Today Credits: 4
BIOL 0237 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
Students may substitute with department approval.

Counseling/Clinical Psychology Concentration

Required (9 credit hours)
PSYC 0303 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0322 - Theories of Counseling Credits: 3
Counseling/Clinical Capstone (one senior capstone experience that may include an approved senior seminar such as: PSYC 0362 , PSYC 0376 , PSYC 0333 , or PSYC 0399 )
Remaining Credits (9 credit hours)

Students must choose three courses from the following:
PSYC 0204 - Stress, Coping, & Well-Being Credits: 3
PSYC 0311 - Health Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0312 - Behavioral Neuroscience Credits: 3
PSYC 0317 - Applied Behavior Analysis Credits: 3
PSYC 0323 - Counseling Theory and Practice Credits: 3
PSYC 0336 - Psychology of the Family Credits: 3
PSYC 0341 - Cognitive Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 0350 - Mindfulness & Buddhist Psychology Credits: 3
Additional Counseling/Clinical Capstone Experience (6 credit hours)

Students must choose one or two courses from the following:
PSYC 0310 - Body Image Disorders Credits: 3
PSYC 0333 - Practicum in Psychology Credits: 6
PSYC 0362 - Capstone Experience: Substance Use Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment Credits: 3
PSYC 0376 - Capstone Experience: Psychology of Depression Credits: 3

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core .